Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum November 4

I hope everyone remembered to set your clocks back from “sunshine and happiness” to “misery and despair” over the past weekend. Everyone will have to adjust to stumbling around in the dark when they get off work. I tried my magic “time travel” trick again Saturday night. It didn’t work again. When the bartender yelled out “last call” at 1:45 a.m., I tried my best to stay another hour, insisting that in 15 minutes, it would really only be 1:00 a.m. when we switched to standard time. I guess the only silver lining is that we can all start drinking about 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon now – ‘cause our bodies will still think it’s 5:00!

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Speaking of the time change, Representative Kevin West (R-Moore) is trying to cause trouble again. If Congress changes federal law to allow states to decide whether or not to maintain year-round time, the legislature last year approved a new law that would put Oklahoma permanently on Daylight Saving Time. Yea!!! Kevin West says he’s going to try to change that to put the state on permanent Standard Time. Nothing could be worse for tourism than having year-round nightfall come at 5:00 or 6:00 in the evening. He must be a vampire in his other life.

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I guess it’s true – you can have too much of a good thing. Starbucks announced last week they are streamlining their menu and discontinuing some offerings. They decided declining sales were the result of confusion over too many selections. I can certainly identify. I’m not even smart enough to order at Starbucks.

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Did you see the story about the guy who stole 24 tons of cheddar cheese from a famous dairy company in Britain? I guess we can call it “The grate cheese robbery.” Should we now watch for a heist of a truck load of Triscuits? Or maybe a truck load of laxative?

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The Presidential election drew the interest of a lot of gamblers. More than $170 million was wagered on the outcome of the Presidential race. That doesn’t even count the $16 billion that was wagered by supporters of candidates to pay for record advertising. The rest of us only put up our votes to gamble on the future of the country. Sort of a big week in the gambling world!

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Artificial intelligence has apparently made us all smarter and more ambitious. Have you noticed that, since AI became capable of creating images that are hard to distinguish from real ones, there are tons of social media posts with pictures of all kinds of new discoveries?

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Cindi Lillard, Otis Winters, Karen Hudiburg, Candy Couch, Abby Thrift Moser, Devone Chezem, Shaleen Wheeler, Mitch Lindley, Holly Williams, Jot Hartley, Jacob Wallace, Kate Sullivan, Greg Feldman, Kenny Neal, Maddy Cook, Christie Livingston, Tyler Graham, Tom Quillin, and Rusty Rowton.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: The fun begins Thursday evening with the weekly Prime Rib & Karaoke at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). The B.A.S.S. National Championship tournament runs through Saturday on Grand Lake. Friday & Saturday is the Grove Merchants Christmas Open House. Saturday is a huge Monkey Island Scavenger Hunt benefiting 2nd Chance Pet Rescue beginning at The Shebang (11:00 a.m.). Another event benefiting 2nd Chance Pet Rescue is also Saturday – The Second Chance Thrift Shop Garage Sale (9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.). Saturday night is DCCSAN’s “Winterset – How the West Was Won” at Shangri-La Resort (6:00 p.m.), as well as the Combat Vets Association Jello Wrestling Tournament at Island Bar & Grill at The Landings Marina (8:00 p.m.). A fun “Reader’s Theatre” event featuring Pam Leptich and Dave Simpson is Sunday afternoon at Playmakers in Grove (2:00 p.m.). Next Monday, there will be a Veterans Day Observance at the Langley Veterans Plaza (10:00 a.m.).The popular “Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson” has returned to The Anchor for another season (Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m.).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: "Foo fighter" was an early name for unidentified flying objects.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: The high-end automobile brands Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Audi, Ducati, and Porsche all have the same parent company – Volkswagen.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: In Churchill, Canada, it is common for people to leave their cars unlocked so that others have somewhere to escape in case they encounter a polar bear.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: If anyone is alone with no one to spend Thanksgiving with, please let me know. I need to borrow some chairs.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Notice: Customers caught leaving the building by this door will be asked to leave.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: I finally know why they call me a grown up. I groan every time I get up.

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PUN OF THE WEEK: 90% of bald people still own a comb. They just can’t part with it.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why are the washing machine minutes on the new front-loaders not real minutes?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Apparently stress balls are not supposed to be thrown at people who are stressing you out.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Just when I discovered the meaning of life, they changed it.” – George Carlin

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Legendary “Jefferson Airplane” and “Starship” vocalist Grace Slick turned 85 years old last week. Actor Henry Winkler, AKA “The Fonz,” turned 79. While we’re talking about “The Fonz,” remember “Mrs. Cunningham” from that same Happy Days series? She is now 96 years old.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the weekend begins Thursday night with Prime Rib & Karaoke with Jason Morgan at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Rockwell entertains live at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Erin Fitzgibbon will entertain live Friday night at Blind Swine Monkey Island. The Faulconers entertain Saturday night at Island Bar & Grill at The Landings Marina. Ty Ellis & The Flatliners perform live at Big Shots on Monkey Island Saturday night, and DJ Kyle Bandito provides the late-night music at Big Shots both Friday & Saturday nights. Tim Robinson will handle the music Saturday night at The Monkey Bar.

On South Grand, The Faulconers will perform Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.

In Grove, Analog Frogs perform Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 followed by The Zane Grimes Band Saturday night. There are two nights of entertainment at Cherokee Casino’s 1897 Bar – Brett n’ Terri Friday night followed by Magic J Entertainment Saturday. DJ Laidback Larry will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon.

Brett n’ Terri kick off the weekend musical fun Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino followed by Stonehorse Friday night and Brent Giddens Saturday. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, there is live music early Saturday night by The Beer & Chicken Band followed by karaoke with DJ Kay at 11:00 p.m. Eve 6 will host a concert Saturday night at Downstream Casino’s Pavilion and Dokken will be on stage at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace Saturday night.

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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Blind Swine on Duck Creek is closed for the season (Speedy’s in Grove coming soon). Blind Swine on Monkey Island has discontinued the Saturday Night Seafood Boil. Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina now offers lunch Tuesday- Sunday 11:00-2:00 and breakfast Saturday & Sunday 9:00-11:00. Island Bar & Grill at The Landings has new hours - Thursday 4:00-9:00, Friday 11:00-10:00, Saturday 9:00-10:00, Sunday 9:00-7:00. Grand Lake Kitchen at Har-Ber Village will remain open through the winter. Hours are 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Sunday & Monday, and 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday (Closed Tuesday). Scissortail Bar at Scissortail Marina (formerly Port Carolos) is also open. The Fire Pit Restaurant at Wildwood Cove Resort has discontinued lunch service – hours are now 4:00-9:00 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. The planned Roosters Bar & Grill in Grove at Honey Creek Landing Marina has run into a Fire Marshal snag. Their planned opening at the end of the year has been moved into the Spring.  

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The 27th Annual Family Film and TV Awards air Saturday night at 7:00 on CBS. The fifth (and maybe final) season of Yellowstone begins airing Sunday night at 9:00 on Paramount. The Voice airs Monday night at 7:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Heretic, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Elevation, Small Things Like These, and Overlord: The Sacred Kingdoms join the blockbuster Here in movie theaters this week.

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, November 15 – “The First Christmas Party of the Year” – South Grand Lake Chamber Annual Banquet at Shangri-La (5:00 p.m.). Saturday, November 16 – Santa Paws Pet Photos – pics of your pet with Santa – at the 2nd Chance Thrift Shop in Grove (10:00-4:00). Sunday, November 17 – Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner at Juan Montez Restaurant (1:30 p.m.). Sunday, November 17 – Musical collaborative presentation of Handel’s Messiah at First Baptist Church in Grove (4:00 p.m.). Thursday, November 28 – Home of Hope’s “Chris Lynch Memorial Turkey Trot 5K” at 307 S. Scraper in Vinita (7:00 a.m. registration). Thursday, November 28 – Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet at Doc’s Bar & Grill (11:00-5:00). Friday & Saturday, November 29-30 – Santa’s Ozark Mountain Village opens at Har-Ber Village (continues December 6, 7, 13, 20, 21). Friday, November 29 – Black Friday Seafood Extravaganza at the Summit at Shangri-La (4:00-9:00 p.m.). Monday, December 2 – Grand Lake Association Annual Banquet at Cherokee Yacht Club (6:00 p.m.) Friday, December 6 – First Friday Wine Share at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Grove (6:00-7:30 p.m.). Saturday & Sunday, December 7-8 – Christmas at the Oasis, Journey to Jesus rides & photo ops at Picture in Scripture Amphitheater (3:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 14 – Grove Christmas Parade (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 14 – Cherokee Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade (Dock party at 3:00 – parade at 6:00).

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In the college football world, OU and OSU are both on the road and both will play under the lights Saturday night. OSU is at TCU (6:00 on FS1) and OU is at Missouri (6:45 on SEC Network). Other big games this week include Georgia at Ole Miss, Iowa State at Kansas, Alabama at LSU, Colorado at Texas Tech, West Virginia at Cincinnati, and Florida at Texas.

The NFL season rolls into week #10 with Cincinnati hosting Baltimore Thursday night. Sunday football starts early with the New York Giants facing Carolina live from Munich, Germany at 8:30 Sunday morning. Additional Sunday games include San Francisco at Tampa Bay (12:00), Denver at Kansas City (12:00), Philadelphia at Dallas (3:30), and Detroit at Houston (7:15). Monday Night Football features the Los Angeles Rams hosting the Miami Dolphins (7:15).

NBA action continues this week with regular season play. After traveling to Denver for a rematch Wednesday night at 8:00, the OKC Thunder return home for a four-game home stand hosting Houston Friday night (7:00), Golden State Sunday (6:00), the L.A. Clippers Monday (7:00), and New Orleans next Wednesday (6:30).

NASCAR drivers are in Phoenix this week to wrap up another season. Coverage of the NASCAR Cup Championship Series is Sunday afternoon at 2:00 on NBC.

PGA players in Los Cabos this week for the Worldwide Technology Championship. The easiest coverage is at 1:00 p.m. Thursday-Sunday on The Golf Channel.

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It looks like a perfect Fall weekend ahead for Grand Lake. We’ll have sunshine for the most part, with high temperatures in the upper 60s and lows in the mid-40s. It looks like a perfect weekend on Oklahoma’s favorite playground, so get out there and have some fun! Remember, though, wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It might be me!

GRAND LAKE BUM

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Looking for places to go, things to do, services to use or property to buy in the Grand Lake area?  Here’s a starter kit listing of “open to the public” fun places to spend time at Grand Lake.

Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La

Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights)

Billy’s Burger Bar & More in Ketchum

Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina

Blind Swine on Monkey Island

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)

Bradford BBQ in Ketchum

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Casa Gutierrez in Grove

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

Cesar’s Place in Langley

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s on Monkey Island

Chicken Coop west of Langley

Chubby’s Grill at On Target in Grove

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum

Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)

Cove Club in Langley

Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

Domino’s in Grove

Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)

Drake’s Restaurant in Grove

Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill

E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina

Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek

Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort

Gambino’s Pizza in Ketchum

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

Grand Getaway Mercantile (north of Grove)

Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)

Grand Lake Coffee Company in Grove

Grand Lake Public House in Grove

Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek

Hero’s Deli in Grove

Hero’s Deli in Langley

High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)

Honey Creek BBQ in Grove (south of Honey Creek bridge)

Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)

Island Bar & Grill at The Landings Marina

Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina

Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner

La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove

Legacy Eatery in Grove

Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum

Los Garcias in Langley

Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove

Matt’s Place in Grove

Monkey Bar on Monkey Island

Monkey Island RV Resort

Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney

Monkey Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

Monkey Island Trail Rides

Monkey Island Winery

Mosa Hibachi and Sushi in Grove

Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove

Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove

One-Eyed Monkey at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

Pappy’s Bar on Hwy 10 east of Grove

Pickles at the Lake in Langley

Pier 13 Liquor Store in Langley

Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove

Pit Stop Café in Grove

Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor

R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon in Grove

Raggedy’s in Grove

Rancho Viejo in Grove

Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, Grove

Riggs & Company in Langley

River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)

Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island

Royal Liquor Store in Grove

Scissortail Bar at Scissortail Marina

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina

Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)

Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort

Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice

The Stables Casino in Miami (smoking)

The Shebang on Monkey Island (smoking on patio and Balcony Bar)

Ugly’s Grill & Bar, Thunder Bay Marina

VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove